On the morning of Oct. 31, Althea Rose was asked to step outside for a moment during her lesson. As she stood waiting, she watched as IHS principal, Alan Waligura, and the rest of the admin team walked in.

“[Waligura] lifted up a little plaque that said ‘Teacher of the Year’ and I just stood there frozen. I just remember saying ‘oh my god’ over and over again and I started crying,” said Rose. 

The award was presented to her due to all the hard work she committed to the Special Education Department (SPED).

“[This award is special to me because,] it shows recognition, not only of the work that I do but of the work Special Education (SPED) teachers do.”

Her job includes planning lessons that fit into each student’s ‘Individualized Educational Program,’ also known as IEP.

“We have to base our lessons off the needs that are presented in that plan,” said Rose. “So, everything we do is geared toward them and their success.”

Rose came all the way from Jamaica to achieve her lifelong goal of being an educator. 

“I came after high school and lived in New York for many years,” said Rose. “I went to City University of New York (CUNY) as an education major.” 

Her first experience as an instructor was as a high school English teacher.

“I went to school to become a teacher, I was not alternatively certified. I went to school to become an English teacher, and that is what I am,” said Rose.

 Rose has had a lot of experience teaching on-level, Gifted and Talented (GT), and Pre-Ap English. However, when she started teaching at IHS, she began as an aide at the Centralized Program, an initiative designed to help create strategies for Special Education students.   

“[The Centralized Program] was very challenging. Some of our kids have behavior issues so I had to learn how to communicate with them,” said Rose. 

After working on strategies to help teach Special Education students, she realized she wanted to have a one-on-one experience with them.

“I went and I got SPED certified. This for me has been one of the most rewarding jobs,” said Rose.

Her favorite thing about teaching in this department is seeing the students she works with succeed.  

“I taught [a student] for four years and when he first came in, it was such a struggle,” said Rose. “That young man walked across the stage last year and to see it makes what we do as a team worthwhile.” 

Like this student, Rose hopes to give many other children the opportunities they deserve.